The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-02-05
TWO FINE BUILDINGS.
A nsnl. and a Hotel Just Finished in. the Blu
sireee centre of Westminster.


There have just been completed IN she
| business centre OF Westminster, TWO nne
! buildings--a banking house and hotel:
Both are ornamental in appearance, and add
much to that section of the city, where the
character of the buildings steadily increase
| with every addition. The former was erected
nv the First National Bank and the latter by
Grimes & Thomas.
| FIRST NATIONAL. BANK BUILDING.
The first National Bank was established in
| 1865. and has been success from its organl-
cation. The growth of business, lack OF room
and of sufficient security against hire and
BURGLARS, convinced the directors and officers
| that a larger and more substantial building
was needed, and it was decided to costr1ct
one. Some land was purchased from the 81.
Johns Church property, and preparations
were begun. Plans and specifications were
obtained from jackson c. Colt, OF Baltimore,
an architect and designer of wide reputation,
and the work was commenced IN July,
1886.
The bank now about finished, Is complete
as to convenience and security, and an orna-
ment to the chief business section OF our
growing little city. The building is of the
| Oueen Anne STYLE, so feet, Q inches front,
with a depth of SIS feet, A! inches. The front
is Baltimore pressed brick, with Potomac
brown stone trimmings. The front door IS
mahogany, hung on large bronze hinges, and
supplied with the most approved locks
Above the arch over the door, and over the
twin window above, the building is ornament
ed with nail-head brick. Over the door is
the name of the institution, First National
Bank in raised letters on brown stone, and
| similarly cut in brown stone, higher up on the
huihlinG are the words Established in
1861
The directors spared no expense in the
construction of the building, and aimed con-
tinually at safety, security and convenience,
and are to be congratulated in producing one
that combine all these. The foundation walls
are three feet thick and eight high, and the
other walls are of brick eighteen inches thick
from foundation to roof To give greater
| strength on each side two pilasters..
There is but little wood work about the
building. and damage from fire is almost i'm.
possible. The cellar is cemented within, and
the flooring of the bank is lime OF uel, with IRON
orders. covered with handsome tiling, except
in the directors room and behind the count
ers. where wood flooring is laid.
The interior is all in one story, ABOUT
twenty. eight feet high. The great expanse OF
walls is broken by a balcony and iron railing,
which is also quite ornamental. The walls
are to be beautifully frescoed in the spring,
and around the ceiling are two heavy cornlees.
The window frames and sash and the turni-
ture are imitation mahogany, and IN the d.
rectors' room is a mantel in the same wood,
surmounted by plate glass mirror, and be-
low is an iron fire place, with tiling orna-
mentation. There is private room for the
cashier, and ample room within the counters
for the transaction of volume oil business
many times greater than now done, for the
building was put up for the future as well as
for the present. The counters are OF polished
cherry, and brass wire screen, in mahogany
frame, rises some seven feet above, thus com
petely shutting in the officers Little gates
in the screen are placed at convenient points
for the passage in and out of packages, and
everything is arranged for the convenience OF
the public and the faciitation of business.
The directors room is covered with Wilton
carpet, and in the rear of it is vault for the
reception of the old books, checks and de-
post tickets of the bank.
The CAD vault is marvel of strength:
The foundation is begun below ground, and
it stands away, from the walls of the building.
1t is IA solid mass of stone and cement up to
the first floor 6 The vault is six feet square by
seven high. Arot ne steel chest is rail
road iron, laid hoy Fy, and welded so
TIGHTLY as to be alus mass of iron,
and around this a eight inches
= - brick in - The steel